Time with the Lord in the Psalms! The notes you’ll find here are the nuts & bolts of my efforts to understand & apply the Psalms to my life. I hope that they’ll be an encouragement as you glean the Scriptures for guidance & encouragement.
You’ll notice 3 basic pieces to my notes: A basic outline, the question “What sticks out this time?” and the final question “What difference does this make?” These are the three regular parts of my time in the word. The outline will vary in length and detail. It’s simply a product of my efforts to understand & keep track of the flow of each Psalm. The first question is an effort to stay sensitive to what God is featuring for me as I read that day. The final question is an effort to apply the truth to my life – my thoughts, my choices, etc.
I want to profit from God’s word. As your brother in Christ, I want you to profit from it. I want you to carry these 3 basic pieces into every passage you study anywhere in Scripture.
Enjoy your time in the Word!
A Basic Outline
The reason for my commitment to praise: Your provision, 1-3
..You have lifted me up
..You have kept my foes from victory over me
..You healed me
..You brought my soul up
..You have kept me alive
A call to praise the Lord, 4
..sing praise to the Lord, you saints
..give thanks at the remembrance
The reason to praise, 5
..His anger is brief
..His favor is life long
..weeping from His anger (discipline) is brief
..joy from His favor is as certain as the sunrise
An ill informed conclusion: 6
..I’m unstoppable!
A realization/declaration: 7a
..You are the true source of my durability
My downfall, 7b
..You held back & I was troubled
My request after my downfall: 8-9
..I cried out
..I made supplication
..if I die then I can’t praise You
..hear… have mercy… be my Helper
My restoration:
..mourning into dancing
..from sackcloth to gladness
The purpose of my restoration:
..that my glory may sing praise
What sticks out this time?
David reflects over his past and acknowledges how the Lord has provided.
What difference does that make?
David’s reflection encourages me to reflect. I remember crying out for help to pay bills. I remember crying out for wisdom in difficult circumstances. I remember feeling overwhelmed, confused and hopeless. You’ve brought me through each of those times… and all the other times that I’ve since forgotten.
On the one hand I want to thank You. On the other hand I want to remember these things as I face this day. The proof of Your faithfulness surrounds me and I want to navigate this day in light of it. Thank You Father for a kindness that goes my ability to say thank you.
What sticks out?
How often in life have I felt like David felt in v6? “Now I’ve figured it out. Now I’ve got it together. Now I’ll never be moved” I’m reminded of the passage in Hebrews 1 that says You hold all things together by the word of Your mouth. It’s Your will that’s making this work, holding this together. It’s Your will not mine.
What difference does this make?
I want to keep making the decision to follow You. I want to keep the spiritual reality front and center… You’re behind every success. You’re behind every insight. You’re behind every breath. I want to navigate this day with humility.